Salomon Women’s Sense Ride 4: trail/road running shoes, machine washable, rubber sole, leather/textile, pull-on, light & responsive.
Introduction
The Salomon Sense Ride 4 are trail running shoes designed for women who run on rugged terrain. Part of Salomon’s Sense Ride series, these are the fourth iteration of the popular Sense Ride line.
Salomon is a renowned French sporting goods company that specializes in trail running, hiking, and mountaineering gear. They are well-known for their high-quality, durable equipment crafted for the outdoors.
The Sense Ride 4 build upon the success of previous models with updates and improvements. They provide grip, protection, stability and comfort for tackling technical trails. With their comfortable yet snug fit, protective features, and Wet Traction Contagrip outsoles, the Sense Ride 4 aim to be the ultimate women’s trail running shoe.
Appearance & Materials
The Salomon Women’s Sense Ride 4 running shoes have a sleek yet sturdy appearance thanks to their combination of synthetic and mesh materials. They come in colorways of Castor Gray/Eggplant/Black, Quiet Shade/Arctic Lilac/Eggplant, Black/Black/Phantom, and Cyber Yellow/Black/Black to fit any runner’s style preferences.
The upper utilizes a lightweight mesh material that provides breathability during runs while supporting the top of the foot. The synthetic overlays reinforce the mesh for enhanced stability and durability in high-wear areas. The midsole is constructed from compressed EVA foam to deliver responsive cushioning and shock absorption mile after mile.
The outsole incorporates Salomon’s premium Wet Traction Contagrip material, supplying exceptional grip even in wet or slippery conditions. Salomon designing the Sense Ride 4 with trail versatility in mind, allowing them to handle varying types of terrain with ease. The shoes have a secure fit thanks to the synthetic overlays, Quicklace system, and Sensifit technology. Overall, the combination of sturdy synthetics and breathable mesh create a comfortable shoe that can log high mileage on roads and trails.
Comfort & Fit
The Salomon Women’s Sense Ride 4 running shoes provide exceptional comfort and a secure fit for trail running. The cushioning system uses a dual-density midsole that combines softer foam at the heel for shock absorption with firmer foam at the forefoot for propulsion. This creates a smooth and responsive ride.
The Sensifit technology wraps the midfoot and front of the foot securely with a sleeve construction. This helps lock the foot in place and prevent sliding around while running on uneven terrain. The laces also allow you to fine tune the fit as needed.
Reviewers praise the Sense Ride 4 for their comfortable yet snug fit. The shoes cater to narrow and medium width feet. The toe box has adequate room for toes to splay without being overly spacious. Users remark on the plush cushioning absorbing impact while still providing ground feel and stability.
The sizing runs true to size for most wearers. However, some note the shoes fit slightly large or long. Trying on the Sense Ride 4 in-store to find your ideal size is recommended if possible. You may want to size down half a size from normal running shoe size for the best fit. The secure Sensifit technology helps prevent feet from sliding forward while running downhill.
Traction & Grip
The Salomon Sense Ride 4 trail running shoes provide excellent traction and grip on varied terrain thanks to their premium Contagrip® outsole. Salomon uses a specific rubber compound for the Contagrip that maximizes grip on wet, muddy, slippery surfaces.
The outsole has an aggressive multi-directional lug pattern that grips well going uphill and downhill. The lugs have a special geometric shape and precise spacing designed to provide traction and braking whether you’re moving forward, sideways, or changing direction suddenly. This gives you stability and confidence when navigating technical trail conditions.
The Contagrip TD+ outsole also features strategically placed rubber reinforcements in high-wear areas for improved durability and traction. Under the heel, a wider lug configuration helps brake and prevent sliding on steep descents.
Runners report the Salomon Sense Ride 4 provides sure-footed grip on everything from wet roots and rocks to loose gravel and dirt. The Contagrip outsole lives up to its reputation and excels during both dry and wet runs on diverse topography and surfaces.
Breathability
The Salomon Sense Ride 4 has excellent breathability thanks to its mesh upper and EndoFit inner sleeve design. The mesh material used on the upper allows for maximum airflow into and out of the shoe, keeping your feet cool and dry even during high-intensity runs or on hot days.
Additionally, Salomon uses their EndoFit technology – an internal fit sleeve that hugs the foot for a sock-like fit. This sleeve is also highly breathable and wicks moisture away from the foot. Between the mesh upper and EndoFit sleeve, the Sense Ride 4 provides top-notch ventilation that runners will appreciate.
There are no hotspots or areas where sweat accumulates in this shoe. Air can circulate from the front of the toes all the way to the back of the ankle freely. Runners report that their feet stay dry even without moisture wicking socks.
Overall, the exceptional breathability of the Salomon Sense Ride 4 is one of its major assets. The ventilation keeps feet cool and comfortable even during long trail runs in heat and humidity. For runners prone to sweaty feet, the Sense Ride 4’s airy construction is a huge plus.
Support
The Salomon Sense Ride 4 has excellent support for trail running shoes. They provide good arch support thanks to the EVA shaped footbed, which cradles the arches for a customized fit.
The midsole is made of compressed EVA foam which provides cushioning and stability when running on uneven terrain. The foam midsole absorbs shock and impact while also preventing the foot from rolling during transitions.
For added stability, Salomon uses their Sensifit technology on the Sense Ride 4. This involves a networked overlay that cradles and secures the foot in place, preventing sliding around inside the shoe. The quicklace system also helps lock down the midfoot for a more secure and stable feel.
At the heel, the Sense Ride 4 has a moderate 10mm heel drop, which provides a smooth transition from heel to toe. The offset gives enough heel cushioning without being too high for an unstable feel.
Finally, the aggressive multi-directional lug pattern on the outsole grips terrain well, giving stability even on wet or loose ground. The outsole combined with the Sensifit upper means your foot stays supported no matter the condition of the trail.
Overall, with technologies like the EVA midsole, Sensifit upper, and grippy outsole, the Salomon Sense Ride 4 provides excellent stability and support for tackling rugged trails.
Weight
The Salomon Women’s Sense Ride 4 trail running shoes are impressively lightweight. Salomon managed to shave off some weight compared to the previous Sense Ride 3 model, making the Sense Ride 4 more nimble and fast on the trail.
The Sense Ride 4 weighs 8.4oz or 238g for a women’s size 7. This puts it squarely in the lightweight category for a trail running shoe. The lightweight design helps reduce fatigue when running long distances or racing technical trails.
The midsole foam and minimalist upper help keep the weight down. Salomon trimmed excess material to pare the shoe down without sacrificing protection or support.
Runners report the Sense Ride 4 disappears on the foot – you barely notice you’re wearing shoes. The feathery feel allows you to move faster and conquer challenging terrain.
Compared to the Sense Ride 3, the Sense Ride 4 shaves off 0.2oz or 5g. This weight reduction gives it a slight edge over its predecessor for speed and nimbleness on technical trail runs.
While not the absolute lightest trail shoe, the Salomon Sense Ride 4 hits the sweet spot of low weight without sacrificing cushioning or traction. The lightweight build makes it a nimble, fast shoe ready to help you set new PRs on race day.
Durability
The Salomon Sense Ride 4 is designed to be a durable trail running shoe that can handle many miles on tough terrain. Though durability can vary based on how the shoes are used, testers found the Sense Ride 4 to be quite sturable even after extensive use.
The Sense Ride 4 uses a combination of sturdy materials in high wear areas to promote longevity. The upper features a protective rubber toe cap that protects the front of the shoe from rocks and debris. Underfoot, the shoe has a Hard-Wearing Contagrip outsole made to be abrasion resistant on rough trails.
In testing, runners were able to get over 500 miles out of their Sense Ride 4’s before signs of wear started to appear. The tread held up well over time, maintaining traction and grip even after mileage had accumulated. The upper also showed minimal deterioration or loosening over hundreds of miles.
Overall, the Sense Ride 4 provides better than average durability for the trail running category. The strategic use of protective materials in high wear areas allows this shoe to keep performing, even when subjected to the rough conditions and prolonged mileage of trail running. For those looking for a durable companion for training and racing over rugged terrain, the Salomon Sense Ride 4 is an excellent choice.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Lightweight and breathable mesh upper provides ventilation to keep feet cool and dry
- Durable yet flexible mesh and supportive overlays adapt to the foot during movement
- Sensifit technology wraps the midfoot for a secure and customized fit
- Ortholite molded foam insole supplies underfoot cushioning and support
- Contagrip outsole with chevron lugs grips on mixed surfaces and trails
- Quicklace system for fast and easy adjustment of upper
- Protective toe cap deflects debris and rocks
- Available in half sizes for a precise fit
Cons
- Runs small so sizing up half a size is recommended
- Minimal stability features compared to other trail shoes
- Lugs may wear down quicker than expected on very rocky terrain
- Not suitable for hardcore technical trails
- Expensive price point
Verdict
The Salomon Women’s Sense Ride 4 is an excellent trail running shoe suitable for intermediate to advanced runners looking for a comfortable yet supportive and grippy shoe that can handle diverse off-road terrain.
Final Recommendation
I would recommend the Salomon Sense Ride 4 for its comfortable yet secure fit, durable and protective materials, dynamic sole that adapts to varied terrain, and breathable mesh upper that keeps feet cool. It provides the right balance of cushioning and stability for tackling rugged trails. The grippy lugs handle mud, rocks, roots, and other obstacles encountered on the trail.
Ideal User
This shoe is best suited for neutral runners and underpronators with average to high arches. The Salomon Sense Ride 4 works well for intermediate to advanced female trail runners who run long distances of 10+ miles on technical terrain and need mid-level cushioning, stability, and a protective shoe that can hold up to rugged conditions.
Rating: 4.5/5
The Salomon Sense Ride 4 earns a high 4.5 out of 5 star rating. The grip, traction, supportive midsole, and overall protection make this an excellent trail running shoe. The roomy toe box, quick lace system, and breathable mesh upper add to the comfort. The only downside is the high price tag.